If you grew up watching EastEnders in the 1990s, Clare Bates was one of those characters you just expected to be around. Then, in 1998, she vanished from Walford just as quickly as she’d arrived. Nearly 30 years later, fans finally have answers—and a confirmed return—as Gemma Bissix reprises her role for a deeply emotional storyline.
Born: 6 June 1983 ·
Known for: Clare Bates in EastEnders (1993–1998) ·
Other notable role: Hollyoaks ·
Return to EastEnders: Spring 2026 (confirmed)
Quick snapshot
- Gemma Bissix born 6 June 1983 in Chertsey, Surrey (Wikipedia)
- Played Clare Bates in EastEnders 1993–1998, returned briefly in 2008, and confirmed for 2026 (BBC Media Centre)
- Appeared in Hollyoaks, Britannia High, and Ghetto Heaven (IMDb)
- Exact reason for leaving EastEnders in 1998 – not publicly confirmed by Bissix or the BBC (Digital Spy)
- Whether Bissix will take on further EastEnders work beyond the 2026 stint (Radio Times)
- Current personal details (relationship, family) – little recent public information (Digital Spy)
- 1993–1998 – First played Clare Bates in EastEnders (Wikipedia)
- 1995 – Appeared in Hollyoaks debut (IMDb)
- 2008 – Returned briefly to EastEnders (Wikipedia)
- 21 Feb 2026 – BBC announces spring 2026 return (BBC Media Centre)
- Gemma Bissix returns as Clare Bates in spring 2026 for a short stint (BBC Media Centre)
- Storyline focuses on Nigel Bates’ dementia, with an emotional reunion and eventual departure (Radio Times)
- Bissix has called it a “full circle moment” (Metro)
Five key details about Gemma Bissix and her career, one pattern: her most famous role came as a child actress, and she is now returning to that same character in an adult context.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gemma Louise Bissix |
| Date of Birth | 6 June 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Chertsey, Surrey, England |
| Known For | Clare Bates (EastEnders), Hollyoaks roles |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Return to EastEnders | Spring 2026 (confirmed by BBC) |
Who did Gemma Bissix play in EastEnders?
What was Clare Bates’ role in the show?
Gemma Bissix played Clare Bates, the daughter of Debbie Bates (played by Nicola Duffett) and Nigel Bates (played by Paul Bradley). The character was introduced in 1993 as a bright young girl living with her parents on Albert Square. Clare quickly became a familiar face in the BBC soap, often at the centre of family drama.
Her storylines revolved around her parents’ turbulent marriage, her mother’s affair with a neighbour, and later coping with her mother’s death from breast cancer. The role earned Bissix recognition as one of the show’s most promising child actors, and she remained on the show for five years.
Why did Gemma Bissix leave EastEnders?
Was her departure voluntary?
The exact reason behind Bissix’s 1998 departure has never been officially confirmed. The actress left the role of Clare Bates after five years, according to Wikipedia. At the time, the show’s producers did not issue a public explanation, and Bissix herself has remained tight-lipped about whether it was her decision or the writers’.
What is known: Clare’s mother Debbie died on-screen in 1998, and shortly after, the character left Walford to live with an aunt. Bissix moved on to other acting roles, including a stint on Hollyoaks later the same year. The lack of a clear narrative exit for the actress has fueled speculation for decades.
The absence of a definitive departure statement means the question “why did Gemma Bissix leave EastEnders?” remains the biggest unresolved mystery about her career.
Is Gemma Bissix coming back to EastEnders?
What has she said about a potential return?
Yes, she is. On 21 February 2026, the BBC Media Centre announced that Gemma Bissix would reprise the role of Clare Bates for a short stint in spring 2026, as part of Nigel Bates’ dementia storyline. The news ended years of fan speculation, especially after Nigel’s return to EastEnders in 2024.
Bissix has spoken emotionally about the return. She told Metro it felt like “a full circle moment,” and described the experience to Express as “an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be part of Nigel’s moving dementia storyline.”
“That’s why she leaves – she just goes: ‘I’ll be in touch, I can’t cope with it anymore'”
— Gemma Bissix to Digital Spy (2026)
The return is short-term; according to Digital Spy, Clare ultimately leaves again because she cannot cope with Nigel’s situation in the care home.
What happened to Clare Bates in EastEnders?
Did Clare leave Walford?
Clare Bates left Walford in 1998 following the death of her mother Debbie from breast cancer. The character moved away to live with an aunt, effectively writing her out of the show. She made a brief return appearance in 2008, but no long-term storyline was developed at that time.
When Nigel Bates returned to EastEnders in 2024 after 26 years away, fans immediately began hoping for Clare’s comeback. The show’s writers built up to it, and the announcement of Bissix’s 2026 cameo finally gave the character closure. In the storyline, Clare had become estranged from her father after years of distance, making their reunion fraught with emotion.
Clare Bates is one of the few EastEnders characters whose exit was driven by the death of a parent—a narrative that gave her story a natural endpoint. The 2026 return reopens that tragedy, but with a middle-aged Clare confronting her father’s decline.
Why was Nigel Bates written out of EastEnders?
What is Paul Bradley doing now?
Nigel Bates, played by Paul Bradley, left EastEnders in 1998. His departure was part of a natural story conclusion: after his wife Debbie’s death, Nigel decided to leave Walford with his daughter Clare to start afresh. The actor later moved on to other roles, most notably a long-running part in Casualty.
Bradley has continued working steadily in British television, including appearances in Doctors, Holby City, and The Bill. His return to EastEnders in 2024 was celebrated by fans, and the dementia storyline has been praised for its sensitive handling.
The pattern: Nigel’s 1998 exit was a family decision, not a controversial one. But his 2024 comeback—and the subsequent Clare return—gave the show a rare opportunity to revisit a father-daughter bond broken by tragedy.
Timeline: Gemma Bissix and Clare Bates
- 1993–1998: First portrays Clare Bates in EastEnders (Wikipedia)
- 1995: Makes debut appearance in Hollyoaks (IMDb)
- 1998: Leaves EastEnders after Debbie’s death; Clare moves away (Wikipedia)
- 2008: Briefly returns to EastEnders as Clare (Wikipedia)
- 2017: Stars in film Ghetto Heaven (IMDb)
- 2024: Nigel Bates returns to EastEnders after 26 years; fans begin calling for Clare (Radio Times)
- 21 Feb 2026: BBC officially confirms Bissix’s return for spring 2026 (BBC Media Centre)
- Spring 2026: Clare Bates returns to Walford for short stint (RTÉ)
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Gemma Bissix was born 6 June 1983 in Chertsey, Surrey (Wikipedia)
- She played Clare Bates 1993–1998 and returned briefly in 2008 (BBC)
- She will return in spring 2026 for a short stint (BBC Media Centre)
- She has also appeared in Hollyoaks, Britannia High, and Ghetto Heaven (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Why she originally left EastEnders in 1998 – no official reason given
- Whether she will appear beyond the 2026 short stint
- Current personal life details – Bissix maintains a low public profile
Quotes on the comeback
“It’s an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be part of Nigel’s moving dementia storyline.”
— Gemma Bissix to Express
“It feels like a full circle moment.”
— Gemma Bissix to Metro
Gemma Bissix will reprise her role as Clare Bates for a short stint this spring.
— BBC Media Centre (22 Feb 2026)
For EastEnders fans who have waited nearly three decades for closure, the return of Clare Bates in 2026 offers an emotional payoff. But for the character herself, the reunion with Nigel may be tinged with the same unresolved grief that drove her away in the first place. The question of why she left in 1998 remains unanswered—and perhaps that mystery is part of what makes the character so enduring. For the BBC, the gamble on nostalgia has paid off with one of the most talked-about soap returns of the year.
Related reading: **Daniel Brocklebank: Relationship, Career, and Coronation Street Exit** · **Sally Lindsay: Weight Loss, Career, Twins, and Life After Corrie**
Frequently asked questions
How old is Gemma Bissix?
Gemma Bissix was born on 6 June 1983, making her 41 years old as of 2024.
What other TV shows has Gemma Bissix been in?
Besides EastEnders, she has appeared in Hollyoaks (1995), Britannia High (2008), and the film Ghetto Heaven (2017).
Who plays Clare Bates in EastEnders?
Clare Bates is played by English actress Gemma Bissix.
Is Clare Bates related to Nigel Bates?
Yes, Clare is the daughter of Nigel Bates (played by Paul Bradley) and his late wife Debbie Bates.
When did Gemma Bissix start acting?
She began acting at age nine, landing the role of Clare Bates in EastEnders in 1993.
Did Gemma Bissix return to EastEnders in 2026?
Yes, the BBC confirmed in February 2026 that she would reprise the role for a short stint in spring 2026.
Why did Clare Bates leave EastEnders in 1998?
The character left after her mother Debbie died of breast cancer; the real reason for the actress’s departure was never officially explained.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.